Reviewed by Clare Marlin, MS, RN, CIC, CRRN, CCRC, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL
The prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) can lead to better patient outcomes and decreased costs for patients and healthcare facilities. A resource for interdisciplinary discussion-based intervention to focus collaboration on the appropriateness of central venous catheter device utilization (DU) to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) was implemented within an acute care hospital’s Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU). In March of 2022, following an increase in DU from March of 2020 through December of 2021, and an increase in CLABSIs, an interdisciplinary ICU Rounding Checklist, within an evidence-based CLABSI reduction program, was implemented. The program’s implementation resulted in a decrease in DU and no CLABSIs per 1,000 patient days occurred in the 32-month timeframe for the program’s evaluation.
The ICU Rounding Checklist’s purpose included fostering Physician and Nurse discussion on the appropriate use of each central venous catheter. The ICU Rounding Checklist included hospital-approved indications for the use of central venous catheters to promote cohesive alignment in understanding each device’s purpose among the team. The evidence-based program also included elements such as chlorhexidine (CHG) bathing confirmation, and accountability for central venous catheter dressing supplies, care, and maintenance.
The researchers attribute three factors related to oversight as critical for the program’s success including the Physician’s signature endorsing the appropriate use of the central venous catheter on the ICU Rounding Checklist, direct observation of completion of the program’s elements, and, 12 months into the intervention period, a daily review during the safety huddle by hospital leadership of central venous catheter DU.
The researchers indicate a further expansion of the study may benefit from including a control group for outcomes comparison. Additionally, the removal of central venous catheter devices potentially too early during treatment was not studied, nor were healthcare workers’ perceptions of the program and its elements.
Reference:
Baklouti, A. J., Catanzaro, A. T., Elson, N., Ankrah, M., Rost, J., Parsia, S., Yates, B., Agatep, A., Morgan, K., Singh, S., Escareno, P., Chen, C., & Frederick, A. (2026). Fostering an interdisciplinary culture of collaborative discussion to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infections. American Journal of Infection Control, 54(6), 600–607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2025.12.009